Brolai Week 2022!!

So I liked one of my 2dace panels too much so I decided to color and make some LGBTQ+ icons. 

Please do credit me if you use them. Thank you! 

Icons are down below.

TLDR: I think they’re relationship is very interesting because of the fact of how morally gray the two of them are. I don’t support them being together in current phases but I believe they were together at some point in phases 1 and 2. Those guys have too many instances of blatant queercoded flirting where they could not not have feelings towards one another. I also believe the roles that were once present in their relationship (2-D has crush on Murdoc but Murdoc rejects him.) are now in the midst of being reversed, (Murdoc has a crush on 2-D but 2-D rejects him.) most likely as the result of the ending we got during the Lost Chord MV.

Oh definitely. Although, I’d like to say while I’m not the biggest 2doc fan, I definitely believe that they probably had a relationship at some point in the lore. A majority of their interactions within phase 1 to 2 just doesn’t make sense if they didn’t, but that’s entirely my opinion. However, I don’t like how some people within the Gorillaz fandom tend to paint their relationship as a completely black and white thing. Like I feel like many just say “the two of them of them are deeply in love and have always been together” or “the relationship is toxic and it’s gross” but like with how nuanced the lore has been up to this point, wouldn’t it make more sense if it was both? Like, relationships are much more complicated than just being in love or being toxic, and I feel like it’s been clearly shown how gray their relationship is.

Like, the two of them aren’t angels. (especially Murdoc)

Murdoc, even though he was a victim of both child and sexual abuse, he later became an abuser. Whether it be because of:

His alcoholism, which has been made clear he uses as a coping mechanism for his abuse.

A lack of treatment of his trauma, especially due to the generation his was born in, wherein it was expected for men not to share their feelings or trauma due to societal pressure, aka: toxic masculinity or his refusal to acknowledge said problems due to not wanting to revisit those memories.

He has learned to hate himself so much that he has become the thing he hated. In his own words from the Plastic Beach interview, “In order to fight monsters, you have to become a monster of some sort yourself. Take out all the soft, fluffy bits and become empty.”

His overall need to control every aspect of his life and those around him since he wasn’t able to stop the abuse as a child. (Ex: He pursued music because he wanted to make it the way he wanted to and not let his father control which road he went down. He considers himself the leader of Gorillaz so no one else can control what he does with them. Murdoc hyper-sexualizing himself in some instances might be the result of another coping mechanism. If he controls what he does with his body he doesn’t have to think about his trauma associated with sex, which is a rare but not uncommon trait amongst victims of sexual assault.)

It’s most likely a combination of some, if not all of the above.

2-D has his own fair share of problems as well.

He is a well-known drug addict with a liking to painkillers and references to him also doing cocaine. His addiction only amping up after meeting Murdoc, however it’s questionable as to whether or not this was because Murdoc helped enable his pre-existing addiction to painkillers or if this was a result of 2-D’s own codependency.

He’s both a victim and enabler as he consistently, from Phase 1 to 2 and some instances in 4, makes excuses for or straight up doesn’t acknowledge Murdoc’s abuse towards him and the other band members and allows it to continue for nearly 20 years.

While known to be quite humble and kind, he can be quite petty and can have quite the ego. (Ex: Literally look at his behavior in several interviews and how he treated the band during Phase 5. Also, in We Are The Dury, 2-D makes a joke about Murdoc as he recounts his time being imprisoned Mexico saying, “I don’t think I could eat another burrito in my life.” To which 2-D responds with “But you still like a bit of Mexican sausage, ay man?” and proceeds to laugh. This is most likely in reference to the MTV Mexican Jail ident where a prisoner is about to sexually assault Murdoc as the video cuts off. Murdoc, upset by 2-D’s remark, he tells him to shut up and calls him the f-slur.)

He has been shown to become physically abusive towards Murdoc, however this is only when pushed to his very limits. (Ex: During the infamous Plastic Beach Interview, he can be heard attacking Murdoc after he mentioned Paula Cracker before Murdoc managed to overpower and chloroform 2-D into submission.)

Now, of course. This doesn’t mean that one of them is entirely the villain and the other is a complete saint. That just isn’t the true nature of their relationship. The two of them are innately complex and thus their relationship is filled to the brim with ambiguity. They are neither good or bad people. They are simply characters with very human problems and emotions. The both of them are simply too fucked up with each other to continue a healthy dynamic.

Personally, I think they did love each other at some point, probably more around phase 1 or 2 but it certainly wasn’t overtly romantic or happy. The two of them were clearly codependent. Whether it’s 2-D who comes crawling back to Murdoc because he feels he could fix his problems if he stays with him or forgives him, believing he could change and they could be happy together only for that thought come crashing down once the El Mañana incident occurred. Or Murdoc, who not only continues this stringing 2-D along, especially with that fact that he not only needs him for the band to keep existing but also, in a more sad twist, he’s probably the only person that has outwardly shown any kind of genuine affection towards him. 2-D’s essentially his safety net, an excuse for him to continue being shitty because he keeps forgiving him. For the longest time, he didn’t want forgiveness for his actions, he just doesn’t want to believe that he’s a bad person. No one wants to believe they’re a bad person unless they’re put into a situation that makes them actively question their own actions. And for a long time Murdoc refused to do that. Possibly another reason as to why he showed so much vitriol towards 2-D is because of how lucky he felt he was.

I’m surprised this doesn’t get brought up more often when discussing their relationship. Like, 2-D literally lived the life that Murdoc never had. He’s part of a loving nuclear family that accepts him for who he is, he was popular in school, probably was never bullied, had good looks, and a job. His life was practically given to him on a silver platter while Murdoc got to live with the scraps. His whole life, Murdoc suffered to get where he is. Why did he get to live such a happy, carefree life but not him? He wanted to hate 2-D for all of those reasons, but couldn’t because he didn’t want to let go of the one person who cared about him. And now, due to his actions, has to face the consequences of 2-D leaving him behind.

That’s probably why we’re getting bits of his reputation arc now. He’s in the midst of addressing his problems. Not all of them, of course. He is one stubborn bastard after all. But I believe that after breaking out of prison in Phase 5, he realized how much 2-D and by extension, the band, really meant to him. While yes, he did go to prison and later lied when the attention was off him. In response, he started the Free Murdoc movement. It was only after seeing Noodle run to Patagonia, believing his lies and putting herself in danger because of his fib, he began to realize that he was in the wrong. Not just then but for everything. He said it himself at the end of the Free Murdoc chat;

“Cos in the end, the experience DID free me. Not from Wormwood Scrubs — but from that other far worse prison I was in… MYSELF. The worst prison a person can be in… I was in a prison of my own making, but thanks to you — I’ve busted out. This long, long journey has made me a better man.”

And with that he swore to change. We even see him realizing how much his actions had impact in Phase 6. Since making the Now Now, 2-D has finally learned to move on without him. Plastic Beach might have been the moment he realized how fucked up their relationship was but the Now Now was the moment he stood up against the abuse and won. Murdoc noticing this, did everything to get his attention at first. He made him tea and even went out with him but nothing worked. That’s why we see him crying in Desole, he knows that whatever relationship he and 2-D or the band before will never be the same. It’s only when he actively proved himself to the band and that he did care for them that 2-D reached out of the portal to rescue him in Lost Chord. I don’t think he forgave him for what he put him through or that they’re gonna start over again, but it’s a sign that the two of them are improving themselves and that’s good!

I do have to wonder with this current phase though if their roles are reversed because before, 2-D was the one that was openly showed love for Murdoc while he rejected 2-D’s advances at nearly every turn. But now I think that’s been switched. Now Murdoc, of all people, is chasing him while 2-D, someone who’s been idolizing Murdoc for years, doesn’t acknowledge him. I mean, look at their playlists on Spotify right now. In G-Mix 17, almost all of Murdoc’s songs have been about UNREQUITED LOVE (the strongest examples being R&B by English Teacher, Security by Amyl and the Sniffers, Hung Up by The Mysterines, and Landline by Binki) whereas 2-D’s have been about FALLING OUT OF IT. (Examples being YKWIM by Yot Club, Not Into You by Brooksie, and Anybody Else But U by poolsideconvo) It’s almost like they are finally beginning to meet in the middle and mend somewhat but Murdoc has (at least so far) been slowly beginning to accept that he actually likes him but knows that 2-D has already moved on?? I’m really excited to see how their relationship improves going forward as it’s been really interesting to see their development in the last two phases so far.

Sorry about the incredibly long rant, I just love it when there’s genuinely good subtext and complex nuance into characters’ psyches, especially when done well.

Love how in past phases 2D admired Murdoc but in certain interviews I feel like Murdoc is (not so) secretly attracted to 2D as in lust. While 2D is just completely oblivious most of the time

Oh no yeah facts, you don't call someone A LITERAL GOD and a pretty boy if you feel normally about them. 2-D is definitely oblivious, but so is Murdoc I think. Their dynamic was always stupidly complicated, and it only spiraled further phases 3 and 5. They don't even know what they have going on, really- and that's okay! relationships don't have to be perfect. to deny those kinds of relationships are real and normal is immature and only stifles awareness and enables people not to recognize toxic behaviour.

anyway I went off but that's my hot take on 2doc

TLDR: This is my headcanon for how I believe Saiyans wedding traditions work! (At least in U13)

Hopefully my writing isn’t too small but in case it is, I’ll just quote it all below. Enjoy! (Also here’s another rupphire inspired drawing,,,, hope y’all don’t mind lol)

“The earring is also important. Similar to a wedding ring, it symbolizes marriage. The cuff earrings are typically made of brass and can be easily customized, usually with engravings on the inside. Unlike in human culture, there isn’t another set. There is only one set, it’s only the positioning that changes. Each partner gets one cuff for the opposite ear. When engaged, each will position it on the lower part of the ear. Once married, they will place it higher up.”

“The earring is also important. Similar to a wedding ring, it symbolizes marriage. The cuff earrings are typically made of brass and can be easily customized, usually with engravings on the inside. Unlike in human culture, there isn’t another set. There is only one set, it’s only the positioning that changes. Each partner gets one cuff for the opposite ear. When engaged, each will position it on the lower part of the ear. Once married, they will place it higher up.”

“The earring is also important. Similar to a wedding ring, it symbolizes marriage. The cuff earrings are typically made of brass and can be easily customized, usually with engravings on the inside. Unlike in human culture, there isn’t another set. There is only one set, it’s only the positioning that changes. Each partner gets one cuff for the opposite ear. When engaged, each will position it on the lower part of the ear. Once married, they will place it higher up.”

“The earring is also important. Similar to a wedding ring, it symbolizes marriage. The cuff earrings are typically made of brass and can be easily customized, usually with engravings on the inside. Unlike in human culture, there isn’t another set. There is only one set, it’s only the positioning that changes. Each partner gets one cuff for the opposite ear. When engaged, each will position it on the lower part of the ear. Once married, they will place it higher up.”

“When proposing, the earring will be tied to the flower’s stem.”

“When proposing, one person will present the flower with the earring tied to it to their significant other and ask if they accept the proposal.”

“If the answer is a definitive ‘yes,’ then the recipient will take the earring and put the flower in the presenter’s hair.”

“If the answer is ‘yes, but not right now,’ then the recipient will put the flower in their own hair but give the earring to the presenter. They will keep it until the both of them are ready.”

“If the recipient is unsure or needs to still think about it, then they’ll take the earring but not the flower and will take it only if they accept it.”

“If the answer is ‘no,’ then the recipient won’t take anything at all.”

“Saiyan wedding ceremonies are a lot less extravagant than human ones. Each partner will wear something significant to their family line and that’s as far as it goes dress-wise. However for Kakarot and Vegeta, that wasn’t the case as they went all out and had a Human-Saiyan mixed wedding since they got married on Earth, partly as an act of unity between Planet Vegeta and humanity (officially).”

“That’s a story for another time. Sorry!”

*pointing at Vegeta* “Wearing his father’s old coronation attire as a wedding suit”

*pointing at Kakarot’s shoes* “Part of father’s old headband”

“The flower is used in the ceremony by cultivating its seeds and blending them into a strong and potent drink. This drink is said to give anyone who drinks it a longer lasting life along with a small power boost. Consuming it symbolizes an unbreakable bond, ever lasting even after death. This part is usually presented by both of the couple’s families, however it’s more acceptable nowadays to have it be presented by an elder of either of their respected communities. The only people allowed to drink this beverage is the couple.”

*pointing at both Kakarot and Vegeta* “kneeling”

*pointing at Bardock* “Yes, Bardock is alive in this AU!

“But be careful, it’s quite an eclectic taste.”

Vegeta: *thinking* Bitter…

“After that part of the ceremony has ended, each partner will move their earrings up. They are married and the reception will begin!”

“With lots of food obviously.”

Does anyone else imagine what Anti would’ve been like before he possessed Jack? I don’t know. I just imagine that he was a different person before he became the angry vengeful spirit that we know him as through Jack. Like maybe he was a rockstar with a slight god complex?? I don’t fucking know. 😐 Well here’s some concept art of alive Anti for ya’ll. 

Ppl are stil reblogging your post about article 13 but I swear it’s outdated?

I know it is. But I haven’t ever gotten around to deleting it. 

@markiplier , this is the ONLY time I will change my icon for you. 

Support the WEE WOO army. 

The Gentle Giant 

Since I’ve gotten back to watching DBZ on Netflix, I’m gonna do some @kakavegeweek because gOOD LORD I’ve forgotten how much I used to ship these two. 

Day 1 - Tournament of Power Aftermath

Did some redraws for my webcomic. Come check it out!

Next

Kakavege Week: Day 3 — Exhibitionism

@kakavegeweek